Every recent meeting between the Vols and Zags have been on a neutral floor. UT have fallen short in the previous two matches, though both have been close games. There’s a decent chance that this year’s matchup will include two top ten teams.

Tennessee lost its first meeting with Gonzaga in Seattle 86-79, despite a strong second half comeback. In 2016, the Vols lost to Mark Few’s team by ten in Nashville. That 2016 Gonzaga team was the eventual National runner-up.

Last year year was supposed to be a “transition year” for Few and Gonzaga. But the Bulldogs were a four seed in the NCAA Tournament, and made their way into the Sweet 16.

This year, they return all but Johnathan Williams and Silas Melson, and should be even more dangerous.

Tennessee returns everyone except James Daniel III. That of course includes SEC player of the year Grant Williams and SEC co-sixth man of the year Lamonte Turner. SEC coach of the year Rick Barnes has also added grad transfer point guard Khwan Fore, and still have another scholarship remaining.

Charley Collier is contributor to Rocky Top Insider, most notably in the area of recruiting. Charley is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee majoring in Journalism. He grew up in Franklin, TN and has been a passionate Vols fan since birth.